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Recent News


Recent news below. Read All The News here.

Fall Semester Over

Posted: 6:05 AM 11/21/2025
Fall 2025 semester is over — except for our Holiday Drop-in Reception for all current members. You should have received an email asking for an RSVP to the reception; if you are a member and did not receive the email, call 803-641-3563.

Come back to this website in mid-December to review the course schedule for the spring 2026 semester and get ready for Open House on January 6.

Searching Our Website

Posted: 6:13 PM 10/26/2025
You may search any website, including ours, by entering site:url search terms in the address bar of your browser. For example, to search our site for courses on Aiken history, you would enter site:aikenlearning.org aiken history in the address bar or the search box of your preferred search engine.

Changes to the Printed Catalog

Posted: 6:17 AM 10/4/2025
We frequently make changes to our course schedule after the catalog is printed, usually due to insufficient enrollment in a class or a conflict that developed in the instructor's schedule. Go to the list of all changes to the printed catalog to see them.

2023 Kauffman Remembrance Day and Award

View of the 2023 Kauffman luncheon attendees

(Photo by Carl Fields)

In a tradition going back to 1992, a luncheon is held each year to honor the memory of Dr. Earl Kauffman, the driving force behind the creation of the Center for Lifelong Learning's predecessor organization in 1989, and the beginning of senior education in Aiken. The 2023 Kauffman Remembrance Day luncheon was held April 26 in the lobby the Etherredge Center at USCA. Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon gave the invocation.

Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) President David Tavernier gave opening remarks regarding the Center's successful completion of its second year of combined operation following the merger of the Academy for Lifelong Learning and the McGrath Computer Learning Center.

USCA Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann was the keynote speaker. His talk gave an update on the current state of the university. He also provided a look into upcoming developments at the USCA campus like the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative partnership with the US Department of Energy and the South Carolina National Guard DreamPort Cybersecurity Center.

The luncheon is funded in part by an endowment from the family of late USCA Professor James Kauffman to perpetuate the memory of his father. The event is open to all current registered members of the Center for Lifelong Learning.

Kauffman Award Presentation

Raleigh Daniel presents the 2023 Kauffman award to Wayne Rickman

Raleigh Daniel (right) presents the 2023 Kauffman award to Wayne Rickman (Photo by Aiken Standard)

Part of the Kauffman Remembrance Day memorial is the presentation of the Kauffman Award to an group or individual who has made significant contributions to the Center for Lifelong Learning. This annual award was begun in 1992, three years after the Academy for Lifelong Learning was organized.

Center Vice President Raleigh Daniel presented the award at this year's luncheon to Wayne Rickman.

 

David Tavernier Receives Special Recognition

Wayne Rickman presents the award plaque to David Tavernier

Wayne Rickman (right) presents recognition plaque to David Tavernier (Photo by Carl Fields)

The CLL Board surprised President David Tavernier with a plaque recognizing his efforts in dealing with many unique problems and difficulties arising during CLL's sometimes difficult second year. David has guided the organization successfully through this year, especially facilitating productive meetings with USCA staff that set the stage for welcome changes in the future.

 

Note: This article is an edited version of The Spiral by Doug Wilson.